ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.
He said this during wide-ranging delegation-level talks with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani in Islamabad, the Foreign Office said.
“The two sides reaffirmed the longstanding brotherly ties between Pakistan and Syria and agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across areas of mutual interest,” it said.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held wide-ranging delegation-level talks with Syrian Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, welcoming his visit to Pakistan.
The two sides reaffirmed the longstanding brotherly ties… pic.twitter.com/AhQlqvA2t7
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 20, 2026
The ministers also exchanged views on regional and international developments, including the situation in Palestine, the Golan Heights, Afghanistan, South Asia and the broader Middle East.
The Syrian foreign minister welcomed the signing of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement and commended Islamabad’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability, including its efforts to support de-escalation in the US-Iran context.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed a joint defence pact on August 7, 2026, establishing a collective security framework under which an armed attack against any one member is considered an attack against all three.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held a warm and constructive restricted meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani in Islamabad.
The two sides reaffirmed the deep-rooted brotherly ties between Pakistan… pic.twitter.com/lhYoDvQZbw
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 20, 2026
Ishaq Dar and Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani also reaffirmed their commitment to continued engagement and cooperation to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region and beyond.
The Two Minsiter also held a restricted meeting, during which the two leaders reiterated their commitment to “brotherly ties,” discussed avenues to expand bilateral cooperation and held “in-depth” discussions on regional developments.
Syrian FM arrives in Pakistan on two-day visit
Earlier, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani arrived in Islamabad on a two-day official visit.
He is being accompanied by a high-level official delegation.
“Upon arrival, the distinguished guest was received by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ additional secretary (Middle East),” it said.
H.E. Mr. Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Syrian Arab Republic, arrived in Islamabad today on an official visit to Pakistan at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50.
Upon arrival, the… pic.twitter.com/95YAJPUJ4r
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 19, 2026
The visit, taking place on August 19–20 at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, comes as the two countries seek to deepen engagement across a broad range of areas, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Avancing mutually beneficial cooperation
The Foreign Office described the visit as an important step towards further strengthening Islamabad-Damascus relations and advancing mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.
Also Read: Syrian Foreign Minister Due in Pakistan Today for Official Visit
The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1948, while political and defence ties grew substantially during the 1960s and 1970s. Pakistan provided military training and assistance to Syria, including the deployment of Pakistani Air Force pilots who flew Syrian fighter aircraft.
Political relations were also strong. Syrian President Hafez al-Assad visited Lahore in 1974 to attend the Islamic Summit, while Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem visited Islamabad in 2007 for the 34th session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s Council of Foreign Ministers.
The relationship also extended beyond defence and politics. The two countries strengthened their cooperation in the field of education through exchanges between educational institutions and government officials.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office records continued engagement in this sector, including a visit by Syria’s education minister to Islamabad in 2021.
The last Syrian foreign minister to visit Pakistan was Walid al-Mouallem, who traveled to Islamabad in May 2007.
In March, the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed the ongoing escalation in the Middle East with Syrian President Sharaa during a telephone call.
